Nesting In Needles: Separation, Becoming, Rebirth

'A Nest Too Small'

'A Nest That Fits'

'Becoming The Nest'

Embarking on this emotional journey, I delve into the realms of endurance, metaphor, and the profound dance of space, time, and memory. At its conception, my vision was shrouded in ambiguity, yet anchored in the concept of endurance. An exploration of my capacity to endure discomfort, a willingness to embrace a form of artistic martyrdom. For me, the quest for deeper meaning demands sacrifice, whether shedding preconceptions or, quite literally, offering a piece of my being to art.

Amidst this journey, success unfurled not just in the realms I anticipated but also in unexpected, soul-stirring ways. Upon revisiting the performance, I unearthed meanings that surpassed my initial conceptions, revealing profound truths about my very essence.

In my final installation, I displayed wooden panels with image transfers of stills from the video - below each panel, I secure texts that illustrate each metaphor found within the chapters of my performance. In this, I allow the viewer direct access into my mind and my discoveries; offering a chance to find reflection in our shared experiences of living.

The Time It Takes

With the assistance of a fallen insect and my own devices I explore concepts of death and silent witnessing. Beginning with the fluke documentation of a dying wasp on the roof of my car, what unfolded was an investigation into how one perceives and values life. After looking deeper, this work creates space that prompts viewers to explore how we process our internal monologues and find value in what we often overlook.

A wasp, so often considered a pest or threat, lays helplessly as its nervous system fires for its last time. By slowing down this footage and adding meditative binaural tones, I allow the viewer to come in contact with this species in a new, more mindful way.

By creating an enclosure of plastic drapery the viewer is drawn into a private setting, with seating for only one on a pillow at floor level. Left only with their thoughts and prompted by something so small, yet so intimate, allows the viewer to engage with processing their thoughts and emotions- and with focus, producing a level of vulnerability that is necessary to channel their compassion. Here, through presence and a testing of patience, the personal experience is shaped.

This installation also takes on new shape beyond what is found within, that is, from outside view on-lookers can create their own narratives. From their vantage point they see a person, illuminated only by a television screen. Thoughts of our dependence on technology, a vision of dystopia, is brought to mind - meanwhile something profound takes place inside.

Mud Memory

For this installation I created a series of landscapes hand carved into reclaimed cedar wood and printed using mud as my ink - embodying a direct collaboration with the land itself. I felt this was fitting as I could use the same earth that my drawings were depicting – tying them together in a poetic sort of way and blurring the boundary between depiction and essence.

By using mud, the images are not entirely clear yet hold enough information to make out the subject of landscape – thus incorporating memory and nostalgia, a fundamental component of how we form our perspective.

By using reclaimed wood, I am again shedding light on the cyclical nature of my process. These materials are chosen deliberately and serve as tender imprints of impermanence. Together, they reflect the reciprocity between human and land, and our relationship to permanence and erosion.

Through this installation, I seek to honour the landscape not as a distant vista, but as something tactile, residual, and participatory; where the land itself leaves its own trace.

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